While preparing myself for more aggresive, but "safe," mercury chelation protocol (Cutler's frequent low dose) I've come to a plateau with my current regimen. Since my adrenal function, which was what I've been concentrating most on, has not been improving I feel perhaps I should begin to try to pull some of the mercury out to get past this plateau.

I did a search for "DMSA" on this forum and found that some of the members, vulcanel in particular, recommends against the use of the Cutler protocol opting for more "natural" substances as IP-6 and iodine. I do agree that using chemical/synthetic chelators (DMSA DMPS and ALA?) may do some damage while the mercury/heavy metals are pulled out, but that is why Cutler recommeds frequent low doses to minimise the ill effects the chelators may have.

I'm sure the use of Iodine and IP-6 is effective in removing some of the heavy metals, but how effective are they compaired to DMSA and ALA used in Andy Cutler's protocol? I understand chelating mercury can be a long process and should be done in a gentle manner to reduce the chance of causing more damage than good, but wouldn't a reasonably fast/agressive chelation program be the best approach. "Fast/agressive" as in strong enough, yet being resonably safe and gentle. I say this because life = time. And the more time we spend on trying to get well and not begin already well, the more time we are wasting our lives to being sick and not being functional.

Another thing about IP-6 I read that it isn't actially a chelator of mercury like DMSA is. It is more of a mobilizer. I dont know if this is totaly true or not. If this is true then wouldnt it be a good idea to use IP-6 in conjunction with DMSA to remove heavy metals? Maybe even combine cutler's protocol with IP-6 and Iodine(which I plan I taking anyways), taking all these mercury chelators/mobilzers in a frequent low dose program. Im sure each of the substances have differing actions in how they remove or mobilize mercury in the body, and by using them all would in theory enable a more thorough cleanse/detox.

I'm not trying to start an argument here about what protocol is better for mercury chlation. I'm just trying to figure out how to procede so I can get healthy.

Of course, if IP-6 is as effective as DMSA or DMPS, then there is no longer any reason to use either of those syntetic chemicals.

I have...as mentioned in a recent post...never found anything verifiable by
double blind tests that Iodine "binds" mercury. I see suppositions by our Iodine
MD friends..which are yet to be proven. I would hypothesize that cilantro mobilizes
mercury from my personal experiments...I know Dmsa does so too from in vitro testing
on myself, proven by lab results. How much stirring of mercury versus displacement and removal of mercury is really the question.

My research has numerous references to Selenium actually binding mercury...here is one

Thank you for starting this discussion. I believe it is divine that everyday through this detox, the daily thread covers exactly what I need to hear. Thank you!

For 2 weeks, I did I2, IP6 and a chelation blend (DMSA, EDTA, greens, garlic, NAC and ALA)and it was too much. I was smart about easing each one in, too. I stayed up on companion stuff but it mobilized A LOT. I2 and the Chelation blend were good together but I got the feeling it would be smarter to go back to just IP6 for a while. I read Newport said if he had to do it over again, he'd do IP6 first.

I could use advice on binders to go with IP6 and I2 (currently doing a little SSKI as well). I understand there's not a lot of evidence that Iodine does not 'chelate' but does mobilize. I was sorry when I quit Iodine for many days, though. I won't do that again. I plan to go back to serious chelators after a while on IP6 and SSKI .

Binders that work with all that IP6 and I2 mobilize would include MSM, Ascorbic Acid, Selenium, greens, Ca/Mg and Inositol. Do I have this correct?

Before V in early 07 there were no substantial discussions of IP6 on CZ. Now, after initially meeting resistance of "No, that can't work", "Why have I never heard of this? " etc. there now seem to be many who give appearance of writing as experts, whlst I've remained relatively silent, watching, waiting, for some of them to really find out which two inositol phosphates are responsible and how they functions versus "chelators" from medico-pharma which are all sulfur based. Perhaps soon.